Jewelry Appraisals
Jewelry Appraisals
Know What You Own — and What It Would Take to Replace It
A professional jewelry appraisal gives you a detailed record of your piece and an informed valuation based on its materials, gemstones, condition, craftsmanship, market context, and intended appraisal purpose.
At Robinson’s Jewelers, appraisals are guided by Andrew Robinson, GIA Graduate Gemologist, combining gemological training with extensive real-world experience in diamonds, colored gemstones, estate jewelry, designer pieces, and luxury watches.
Whether you need documentation for insurance, an updated value on jewelry you have owned for years, or a better understanding of an inherited piece, the goal is the same: clear information you can actually use.
More Than a Price
A Jewelry Appraisal Documents the Piece — Not Just the Number
A useful appraisal describes what the item is, what it contains, its identifying characteristics, and the basis for the stated value. That documentation becomes especially important if a piece is ever lost, stolen, damaged, inherited, donated, or otherwise needs to be evaluated for a specific purpose.
Appraisals & Insurance
Protecting Jewelry Starts With Good Documentation
Insurance carriers commonly rely on a retail replacement appraisal to help establish the amount of coverage needed if an insured piece must be replaced after loss, theft, or damage.
The appraisal value is not necessarily the same as what you originally paid, what the item might sell for today, or what a dealer would pay to purchase it. Those are different valuation questions.
Robinson’s also works with jewelry insurance options for clients who want additional protection for qualifying purchases.
The Purpose Determines the Value
Understanding Different Appraisal Types
There is no single universal “value” for every purpose. The appropriate valuation depends on why the appraisal is being prepared.
Retail Replacement Value
Commonly used for insurance purposes. It estimates the amount reasonably required to replace the item with a comparable piece in the appropriate retail market.
Fair Market Value
Used in situations such as some estate, charitable donation, or tax matters. It considers what a knowledgeable buyer and seller might reasonably agree upon in the relevant market.
Liquidation Value
Used when the question is what an item may reasonably bring when it must be converted to cash, often within a shorter timeframe or under specific settlement circumstances.
Experience Matters
Jewelry Can Be More Complicated Than It Looks
Two pieces that appear similar at first glance can differ substantially in gemstone quality, metal content, craftsmanship, age, condition, designer attribution, rarity, and market demand.
Estate and vintage jewelry can add another layer of complexity because the piece may need to be considered not only as a collection of materials, but also in the context of its period, maker, design, and secondary-market desirability.
That combination of gemological knowledge and market experience is especially valuable when evaluating unusual, inherited, antique, or designer jewelry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Expect From Your Appraisal
Do I need to leave my jewelry for appraisal?
In many cases, the necessary measurements, photographs, and testing can be completed while you are present, allowing you to take the jewelry with you. More complex pieces may require additional time.
What should I bring with me?
Bring any documentation you have, including diamond or gemstone grading reports, original receipts, previous appraisals, certificates of authenticity, service records, or other paperwork related to the item.
Can you update an appraisal from paperwork alone?
No. A current written appraisal requires examination of the actual jewelry or watch so its condition, characteristics, and identifying details can be evaluated.
Is an appraisal the same as a gemstone laboratory report?
No. An appraisal is a valuation document. A laboratory report from an organization such as GIA provides gemological grading or identification information. Certain questions, including geographic origin for some colored gemstones, may require specialized laboratory testing.
How often should an appraisal be updated?
Values and replacement costs can change over time. Your insurer can advise how frequently it wants updated documentation, particularly for higher-value jewelry or pieces whose market value may change substantially.
Need an Appraisal?
Bring your jewelry, diamond, gemstone, or watch to Robinson’s Jewelers and we’ll help determine the appropriate appraisal for what you need.